The graphics card is a key component of a gaming PC and can make a setup successful, or on the contrary, unsuccessful..
It doesn't matter how powerful your PC is if you don't have the right graphics card to run your games. Freeze or drop FPS are the last things you want to encounter in-game. If your graphics card can't run on your game, you won't have the same experience the developer wanted, and you'll have to settle for less detail and poorer performance.
The two main graphics card manufacturers are AMD and Nvidia. They are in an endless war to see who will make the best cards at the lowest price, with both companies offering some really good choices. Since new gaming displays include adaptive sync technology to match the graphics card's FPS, so choosing the right graphics card is even more important..
Today we take a look at the best graphics cards from Nvidia to help you make up your mind.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
Image via Amazon You have to start with the RTX 3090 , because Nvidia's flagship model has very good capabilities. It uses Nvidia's latest Ampere architecture, with the GA102 graphics processor and 82 streaming processors, as well as 10,494 CUDA cores. This card also has 24 GB GDDR6X memory in a 384-bit bus, contributing to a data transfer rate of almost one TB per second..
One of the main reasons to get this graphics card is because it is the first to support 8K and 60 FPS resolution. That's huge, using 3 slots instead of 2, and using Nvidia's 12-pin PCI connector. The RTX 3090 is one of the most powerful graphics cards in the world and can also work for 3D rendering or very high performance gaming.
ASUS ROG Strix NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 OC
Image via Amazon The ROG Strix RTX 3080 OC is a phenomenal card that takes the RTX 3080 and takes it further. Nvidia's RTX 3080 is under the 3090, but it's still difficult to get because of its popularity. Most people buy the highest variant they can afford, but if you have a choice, the ROG Strix RTX 3080 OC is one of the best.
This graphics card has 10 GB of GDDR6X memory and 8704 CUDA cores, with 1440 MHz but which can go up to 1905 MHz in gaming mode. Cooling features include 3 fans of 100mm, with the center rotating in the opposite direction to avoid turbulence. It looks great and has a metallic look to go with ROG boards. An RGB light can also be added and sync to other components using the Armory Crate app. This card has an impressive 4k performance and allows you to have the best of top performing games like Cyberpunk 2077 .
EVGA GeForce RTX 3070
Image via Amazon The RTX 3070 also uses Nvidia's latest Ampere technology and is found below the RTX 3090 in model order. The EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 is one of the best graphics cards with this model and has excellent performance. The RTX 3080 features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 5,888 CUDA cores. It also reaches 1,500 MHz, or even 1,730 MHz.
Another cool feature of the card is its iCX3 technology. It uses 9 thermal sensors to detect hot spots, then targets these areas to cool them. The RTX 3070 cards made a massive leap in performance over the RTX 2080s, but at a similar price point. If you can grab an EVGA RTX 3070, you will be able to enjoy 4k games without spending a fortune.
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Image via Amazon The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti strikes a balance between price and performance, more so than any other card mentioned so far. It still uses the latest Ampere architecture and has a fantastic performance. The Gigabyte RTX 3060 Ti Gaming OC Pro 8G is in the middle of the line with 8GB of GDDR6 memory, 4,864 CUDA cores and a speed of 1,770 MHz. This card is sold overclocked in its factory version and is above the 1666 MHz speed of the standard card.
This board has heat cover, 3 slots, and uses 8 and 6 pin connectors to operate. Five copper heat pipes and three 80mm fans with reciprocating rotation cool the whole thing. Aorus Engine software can be used to adjust fans, refresh rate, and more to match your gaming setup. The RTX 3060 has some impressive features, but they're not the best for 4K.
MSI GAMING GeForce RTX 2080
Image via Amazon The Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti and Super Cards were at the top of the basket until the new RTX 3000 series was released. They have excellent performance and are among the first graphics cards with ray tracing capability. The newer cards have eclipsed them in terms of performance and price, but RTX 2080 cards are available more widely and can still improve performance on PC.
If you have an older PC, it may be worth upgrading to an RTX 2000 instead of one from the RTX 3000 series, as the processor might struggle with cards that are too advanced, which will reduce performance.
The MSI RTX 2080 Ti Gaming X Trio is a very good graphics card, with 11 GB of GDDR6 memory and 1755 MHz refresh rate. Like most very good quality cards, it is larger and takes 3 slots. It uses two Pin 8 connectors and a Pin 6. Power consumption can be relatively high at 450 watts, so it will take a powerful unit to cope with it. It also has three fans and changeable RGB light. This card performs very well and can still hold up against its newer rivals.
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER AMP Extreme
Image via Amazon We switched from the Nvidia RTX 2070 products to the RTX 2060 straight away, as it offers similar performance at a slightly lower price. Comparing the two standard versions, the RTX 2070 has a slight advantage, but thanks to the manufacturer's adjustments, an RTX 2060 can be obtained to match it. The ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER AMP Extreme is a brilliant choice if you want an upgraded version of the RTX 2060 Super card.
It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory with 2176 CUDA cores and a 1710 MHz refresh rate, which is an improvement over the 1650 MHz standard, and has a triple fan design. It also includes an HDMI port and three DisplayPorts, but lacks a USB-C port. This card is much cheaper than many on the list and offers decent performance.
PNY GeForce GTX 1660 Super
Image via Amazon The Nvidia GTX 1660 Super is a fantastic choice if you are on a budget or an older PC. The GTX 1660 Super sits in the middle of the product line between the GTX 1660 and the GTX 1660 Ti, offering very good value. At 1408, CUDA cores are the same as the standard GTX 1660, but it uses 6GB of GDDR6 memory instead of GDDR5. The 14 Gbps memory speed on the GTX 1660 Super is also faster than the 8 Gbps on the GTX 1660.
The PNY GeForce GTX 1660 Super is a great option if you want a small graphics card that can fit into any PC. This single-fan graphics card doesn't waste time with RGB lights or other advanced features. It offers excellent 1080p resolution and comes with an HDMI, DVI, and DisplayPort port. This fan easily works on popular games like Apex Legends and Call of Duty without costing a fortune either.